The Labor Department is currently reviewing United Airlines’ leave policies following the implementation of stricter measures meant to prevent employees from abusing sick time. The department’s Wage and Hour Division has received inquiries from workers regarding a possible change in United Airlines’ leave policies. They will be working with the airline and employees to ensure that these policies are compliant with the Family and Medical Leave Act, which guarantees certain employees up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave annually, along with the maintenance of group health benefits during their leave. This law applies to public agencies, public and private schools, and companies with at least 50 employees.
United Airlines has reported an increase in sick calls on weekends, prompting the carrier to enforce a policy that requires a physician’s note in cases where sick time abuse is suspected. The policy, outlined in their contract with the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, is said to be specifically focused on weekends due to the spike in sick calls during those times. The union claims that this policy violates their contract and the rights of employees regarding sick leave. However, United has stated that their policy does not interfere with approved unpaid leave under the FMLA and is fully compliant with federal law and the union contract.
President of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, Sara Nelson, has raised concerns about United’s practices related to the FMLA to the Labor Department over the past year. Nelson highlighted an incident where United management sent an accusatory alert during a busy period, requiring flight attendants to submit absence certificates for sick leave calls over the weekend. The union’s legal team has been in contact with the Labor Department, and individual flight attendants have filed complaints as well. In response to these concerns, United has expressed its intention to revert to its previous system, which did not require a doctor’s note for sick leave.
United Airlines has stated that most flight attendants have been providing exceptional service to customers this summer, despite the increase in sick calls. The carrier maintains that their policy is necessary to address suspected abuse of sick time and is designed to specifically target weekends, where the spike in sick calls has been observed. The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA continues to claim that this policy infringes on the rights of employees to take sick leave and is in violation of their contract and the law. The Labor Department is working with both United Airlines and the union to ensure compliance with the FMLA and other relevant regulations.
The ongoing review by the Labor Department regarding United Airlines’ leave policies reflects a broader concern about the proper implementation of regulations like the FMLA to protect employees’ rights. By addressing specific issues such as suspected abuse of sick time and ensuring compliance with federal laws, both the airline and the union can work together to safeguard the rights of employees while maintaining the operational efficiency of the company. This situation underscores the importance of clear communication, collaboration, and adherence to legal requirements in managing leave policies and addressing concerns related to sick time abuse within the airline industry.
